Printer&#39;s line-up table



June 27, 1950 HARTMAN 2,512,937

PRINTERS LINE-UP TABLE Filed Nov. 18, 1948 l? W J6 J7 INVENTOR. PETER E. HARTMAN BYWZJ.

Patented June 27, 1950 UNITED STATES-PATENT OFFICE PRINTERS LINE-UP TABLE Peter E. Hartman, Tulsa, Okla.

Application November 18, 1948, Serial No. 60,671

6 Claims.

This invention relates to the art of photoengraving, electrotyping, stereotyping, and other forms of printing-plate making for the letterpress printing industry, and more particularly, to the squaring of duo-tone and process printing plates and to transferring and registering color printing plates on mounting bases.

In printing-plate making, it is frequently necessary to perform the foregoing operations; and this is usually done on what is known as a printers line-up table, which takes the form of a table top with two straight edges so mounted as to be movable thereover in right-angular direction with respect to each other. Such tables are particularly useful in multi-color printing, wherein successive printings in different colors are superposed on one another, it being imperative that the printing lines for the various colors accurately register with each other. For example,

in multi-color printing, it is necessary to make a series of plates, each of which is designed to apply color to a given portion of the printed surface; and an extremely accurate registration of the plates must be obtained if satisfactory results are to be produced. This situation requires both an accurate initial positioning of the plates and an accurate checking of the results after the proof sheets have been made in order to determine whether the registration has in any way been disturbed.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a printers line-up table upon which extremely accurate work may be speedily performed, particularly the squaring of duo-tone and process printing plates and transferring and registering color printing plates on mounting bases. r

Another object is the attainment of the foregoing advantages in a single apparatus which is highly eificient in operation, durable in service, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

The invention, then, comprises the features fully described and as particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and annexed drawings setting forth in detail an illustrative embodiment of the invention, this being indicativeof but one of a number of ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

' In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan of the apparatus of the present invention Figure 2 is a sectional elevation; and

Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 are perspective views of individual operating elements which will be specifically referred to hereinafter.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, the base or stand of the apparatus of the present invention is shown at I and it supports an upper horizontal table 2 which may take any convenient form, preferably being of such shape and size as to be convenient to a workman standing in front of it at the position of the arrows of Figures 1 and 2;

Mounted on the stand I, is a pair of squaring bars 3 and 4, the former of which extends above and along the left-hand side of the table 2 (as viewed by an operator standing in front of it) while the latter (4) extends along the back edge of the said table, as shown.

Mounted above the table 2 is the squaring bed 5 of the present invention. This squaring bed 5 has an elongate slot 6 extending along the lefthand'side of the stand, and in parallelism with the squaring bar 3. Another elongate slot 1 in the squaring bed 5 connects with the rearward end of the'elongate slot 6 and extends inwardly at right-angles thereto in parallelism with th rearward squaring ba 4.

An elongate shaft 9 extends throughout the elongate slot 6 and is journaled at both ends in the squaring bed 5; while a corresponding shaft II! is similarly disposed and maintained in the elongate slot 1. These portions of the shafts 9 and I0 which lie between their journaled ends are screw-threaded as shown in Figure 1 in order that each may receive (in screw-threaded engagement) a slidable bar, as indicated at H and I2, respectively. The outer ends of the elongate shafts 9 and I0 extend through and project from the correspondingly adjacent edges of the squaring bed 5 and each has a knurled knob secured to its projecting end, as shown at M and I5, respectively.

From the foregoing construction and arrangement, it will be seen that, as the knurled knobs l4 and I5 are rotated, the slidable bars I l and I2 are respectively moved in the elongate slots 6 and 1. In practice, the permissive movement of the slidable bars in the elongate slots 6 and I need be but slight; for example, of the order of 1% inches.

As shown in Figure 2, a hydraulic jack I6 is suspended from beneath the table 2 with its plunger I'I extending through the center of the the squaring bed 5 is further assured by two I spring loaded hardened steel guide pins 22 which extend upwardly through the table -2 gand are screwed into the bottom of the squaring bed at opposite corners thereof.

Each of the slidable bars ll ar d-t2 isgprovided with a series of evenly spaced holes 23, each one of which is adapted to receive a register pin 26 (Figure 3), the purpose of which will be later described.

Each of the squaring bars (3 and-:4) "is provided with a longitudinally.extending/slot of inverted- T shape, the latter being adapted to receivea plurality -of slidable pins '30, one of which is shown in Figure 4. -Each of the slidable. pins :38 (which will be hereinafter refer-red to as the bumping pins) is-providedwith a set-screw:3 I, by means of which-'it'may belocked against sliding movement. and'also a-pin portion 32 to'actasa-stop for a'T-square-whcn bumping pins :30 are placed at predetermined positions on squaring bars :3 and- 4, as will be later described.

The squaringbedi is providedwith-acentrally disposed longitudinally extending slot 33 of inverted-T shape; the said-slot lbeing adapted to receiveaslidable pin35 (see Figure 5) which-will hereinafter be referredto asthe locking pin? This locking pin 35=is provided with aset-screw 36, by means of which'it-may be locked against sliding movement, and also a pin portion -37 which is adapted to fit in -a- -registeri ng hole in a printing plate in much the same manner asthe registerpins 26.

Referring-to; Figure dthereis provided a series -of lock-uppins39 which-areadaptedfor insertion in certain of the holes 23 in'the slida'ble-bars *II and I 2 at a stage-of operatiomwhich will be -mentioned hereinafter;

Referring --to the upper right-handportionpf 1 Figure 2,-thetable 2-carries at its-rearward edge a-pair of double hinges lfl to which'there 'is connected a transfer frame 4|, the-latter carrying -a transparent transfer sheet-'42 (of acetate, etc.)

I The transfer frame AI is provided with a pair of lugs 42' which extend-upwardly (as viewed -in Figure 2) and -m a-y =be;mounted ;on-the"double hinges-All," as shown. 1 hese lu-gs' 42 are adapted "to abut the'b'ack of-the stand I when the transfer frame 4 his inoperative position over the squar- "ing bed-*5. An ofisetlug M Which is ca-rried by the stand I locks the transfer frame inith-is position. 7 v In operation? V The hydraulic "jack 16 :is, through-manipulation of itsoperatinghandle I8, made to raise the squaring bed 5 =to itsuppermost position. For use with 'l-6-gauge printi-ng-plates, this uppermost position of= -the Squaring bed -i :is regulated to .064 inch below the squaring bars S-a'nd It -will be readily-understood-by those skilled in the art that this: spacing will necessarily be different in 1 the-case ofsquaring e'lectroty'pes, stereotypes, -or other printing-plates;- and means'for-ob- -taining this resultwilL as-occasion requiresn be associated with the hydraulic jack I! (or, more properly, its stop ring 20).

The operator places a register pin 26 in the center of the holes 23 of the slidab-le bar l2 at the back of the squaring bed 5. Then one register hole of the key printing plate (not shown) is placed over the said register pin 26.

The locking pin 35, having previously been placed in the centrally disposed longitudinally extendingslot 33in the squaringbed 5, is moved to fit the other register-hole in the key printing plate; after which the locking pin 35 is locked in this position by means of its set-screw 36.

.A conventional T-square is then placed on either of the squaring bars 3 and 4, and the register M11525 in the middle hole 23 of the slidable bar lZ isrnovedJoymeans of the knurled knob l5 on the projected end of the elongate shaft l8.

- By turning the knurled knob I 5, the slidable bar 52 is moved in one direction or the other a sufiicientnistance to permit-the key printing .plate to be turned (iorexample, 1 inches) using the .loekingpintS (imtheslot 3:3) asan axisnfrotation. .-As soon as the subject -is square. .with the negatin bars .3 and Athe. size of the key printing plateisdetermined (as by measuring with a ruler); and the T square placedon the square r1o ars;.3 and 43 in exactposition for top, -bottom andgboth-rsides loclting abumping pin 30 at each positin -non theg sguaringbars 3 ands.

The .Tesquare may then be placed on .the sguar ing bars .3 and 4 and .against the zbumping pins 3.0 in turn .and the key printin plate scratched withapointed scriber. -When this has been done,.the;-key printing plate is lifted-from the squaringgbed 5 ;-an d -replaced with the other vplatesinthEset in-turn andscratched as inrthe .case ofqthe first plate.

cFOl' registeri and aligning .color printing plates on-mounting bases, the squaring bed 5 is lowered to its (bottom position by actuating the release lever &9. In th-is position, the squaring bed::5:is .-.9l'8 -fr ornpits top face to the top of the squaringzbars;,3 ,and l, making the transparent transfer s-hee txz onthe transfer frame 41 flat .,a 055513116 top of the mountedprinting plate.

' --the accepted.;.wa;y, one mounting block is cut for .eachprinting-plate ;in the color set and trimmed sito the :sa'lnesize. --'-Ihe key plate is mounted on one of the blocks and printer s ink applied tg'i-tl' eface of; the printing plate.

{-Iheislidable bars II and I2 are movedto their sontside maximum positions by turning the knurled .knobs I l and i5, respectively. The mounted printing plate-is then placed tightly against v the upperv left corner in the s q u2 ir e formed by the intersection of the two squaring bar i ndswr rh s p t o "leaves unnqv 1. one pr m ere-holes 2.3 in.each of'the slidable bars ,ll and 42. .A l p pin .is then-insertedin U those ho1es,. 23. nthe'slida'blebars l I and! 2 which are closest to the mounting block, and theinsert- .e oc -1. .1 ins- .tiehtened ag ns theb ck ed by thelocking of-the lugs 42' .and ofi'setlug 43.

With the transparent transfer sheet. over the printing.plate .and. .the transfer frame 4| locked inposition, ::the. image on the printing plate is transferred to the acetate by rubbing gently with a wide, blunt tool. Then the acetate is moved up by utilizing only the tops of the double hinges 40, not releasing the offset locking lug 43 unless necessary.

The printing plate is released by turning the knurled knobs I4 and I5 back and the plate removed. Another mounting block of the same color set is inserted and locked in as was the first. The transparent transfer sheet 42 is returned to its position on top of the mounting block and another printing plate of the same color set is moved into position on top of the mounting block and under the transparent transfer sheet; and by viewing through the latter, the printing plate is manipulated until it is exactly in register with the image of the key plate. The transparent transfer sheet is turned back, the locking pins 39 released and the printing plate may betacked on its mounting base. This procedure is followed for each printing plate in the color set.

While I have shown and described certain specific embodiments of the present invention, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that I do not wish to be limited exactly thereto, since various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A printing-plate squaring and registering instrument comprising, in combination, a stand, right-angularly disposed squaring bars mounted on said stand and extending thereabove along one longitudinal edge and across the back thereof, each of said squaring bars having a longitudinally extending slot, a plurality of slidable blocks adapted for reception in and sliding movement with respect to the slots in said squaring bars, means for locking each of said slidable blocks at selected locations in the aforementioned slots, a, vertically extending pin mounted on each of said slidable blocks, a vertically moveable squaring bed mounted on said stand, said squaring bed having a pair of right-angularly disposed slots extending in parallelism when said squaring bars, a slidable bar mounted in each of said slots, each of said slidable bars having a series of spaced recesses adapted to receive a pin, means for eifecting the sliding movement of said slidable bars, a central slot extending longitudinally of said squaring bed, a slidable element for reception in and sliding movement with respect to said central slot, means for locking said slidable element at selected locations in said central slot, a jack suspended beneath said table top, the plunger of said jack being secured to said vertically moveable squaring bed, and control means for effecting the upward and downward movement of the plunger of said jack.

2. A printing-plate squaring and registering instrument comprising, in combination, a stand, right-angularly disposed squaring bars mounted on said stand and extending thereabove along one longitudinal edge and across the back there of, each of said squaring bars having a longitudinally extending slot, a plurality of slidable blocks adapted for reception in and sliding movement with respect to the slots in said squaring bars, means for locking each of said slidable blocks at selected locations in the aforementioned slots, a vertically extending pin mounted on each of said slidable blocks, a vertically moveable squaring bed mounted on said stand, said squaring bed having a pair of right-angularly disposed slots extending in parallelism with said squaring bars, a slidable bar mounted in each of said slots, each of said slidable bars having a series of spaced recesses adapted to receive a pin, means for eflecting the sliding movement of said slidable bars, a central slot extending longitudinally of said squaring bed, a slidable element for reception in and sliding movement with respect to said central slot, means for locking said slidable element at selected locations in said central slot, a jack suspended beneath said table top, the plunger of said jack being secured to said vertically moveable squaring bed, control means for eil'ecting the upward and downward movement of the plunger of said jack, and means for urging said Vertically moveable squaring bed toward said jack.

3. A printing-plate squaring and registering instrument comprising, in combination, a stand, right-angularly disposed squaring bars mounted on said stand and extending thereabove along one longitudinal edge and across the back thereof, each of said squaring bars having a longitudinally extending slot, a plurality of slidable blocks adapted for reception in and sliding movement with respect to the slots in said squaring bars, means for locking each of said slidable blocks at selected locations in the aforementioned slots, a vertically extending pin mounted on each of said slidable blocks, a vertically moveable squaring bed mounted on said stand, said squaring bed having a pair of right-angularly disposed slots extending in parallelism with said squaring bars, a slidable bar mounted in each of said slots, each of said slidable bars having a series of spaced recesses adapted to receive a pin, means for effecting the sliding movement of said slidable bars, a central slot extending longitudinally of said squaring bed, a slidable element for reception in and sliding movement with respect to said central slot, means for locking said slidable element at selected locations in said central slot, a jack suspended beneath said table top, the plunger of said jack being secured to said vertically moveable squaring bed, control means for eiiecting the upward and downward movement of the plunger of said jack, means for urging said vertically moveable squaring bed toward said jack, and means for limiting the upward movement of said squaring bed with respect to said squaring bars.

4. A printing-plate squaring and registering instrument comprising, in combination, a stand, right-angularly disposed squaring bars mounted on said stand and extending thereabove along one longitudinal edge and across the back thereof, each of said squaring bars having a longitudinally extending slot, a plurality of slidable blocks adapted for reception in and sliding movement with respect to the slots in said squaring bars, means for locking each of said slidable blocks at selected locations in the aforementioned slots, a vertically extending pin mounted on each of said slidable blocks, a vertically moveable squaring bed mounted on said stand, said squaring bed having a pair of right-angularly disposed slots extending in parallelism with said squaring bars, a slidable bar mounted in each of said slots, each of said slidable bars having a series of spaced recesses adapted to receive a pin, means for effecting the sliding movement of said slidable bars, a central slot extending longitudinally of said squaring bed, a slidable element for reception in and sliding movement with respect to said central slot, means for locking said slidable element at se-lected;v ;locations in saideentral; ;slot,-;aJack suspended gbeneath said table-top,- the plunger of said jaclebeing securedtosaid vertically-moveablessquaring -;bed, control ,means; for effecting th u w an w an m vsm ti o t plunger of said Jack a pair ofydoi ble hinges at the rear f said tab1eg,.-top, a-transfer-irame earried by said doublehinges, andifiransparent -transfer sheet carried -bylsaid transfen frame said transe giver fraineand said transferssheet ;bei-ng.,;adapt ed for suchmovement as ,to;permit the transparent transfer. sheet to; assume, a position above and parallel to-said-.squaringioed. v

5. A printing-plate squaring and registering instrument comprising-incombination, ;a stand, right angularly disposed squaring bars r onnted on said stand and extending thereabove along-.ene longitudinal edge, and across; the back thereof, each ofsaid squaring bars-having a longitudinalsly; extending slot; a l-vplurality of sl-idableblocks adapted 'fersreoeption in and sliding movement with respectuto the V slots insaid squaringibars,

,ineans rforsloek-ing eacheof said-s1idable b10cks ,at selected locations in theaforementioned slots, ,a vertically -extend-ing pin mounted on,each of said: slidab le blocks, a vertically noveable squaring bed mounted on .saidfsitand, said squaring bed having .a pair Of right angular-lydisposed-slots extending in parallelism with I said I squaring bars, a. slidable bar mounted in -each ;of said slots, each :o-f-said slidable bars-having aiseries oftspaced recesses "adapted: to receive apin, means tor effecting the-sliding movement or saidssl-idable ,bars,.a central slot' extending longitudinally of said squaring-bed, a-slidable element f or -recepparallel to said squaring bed,--.-and-lugs f0r;;pr.eventing the; excessive; iorwardmovementof said transfer frame and -said:transparent transfer sheet.

6. A printing-plate squaring and registering instrument comprising,- in combination, .a stand, right-angularly disposed squaring bars mounted on said stand-and extendingthereabove along {0H3 longitudinal edge andacross the backthereof, each o'fisaid squaring'barshavingsa longitudinally extending slot, ;a plurality -of;s1idable blocks adapted for reception in and-sliding move mentwith respect to theslots in said squaring bars; means for locking reach of saids-lidab-le blocks at selected locations intheaforementioned slots; a vertically extending pin mounted on-each of said slidable blocks, a vertically inoveable squaring-bed mounted on-said stand, said squaring bed having a pair-0f right-angularly-disposed slots extending in-parallel-ism with said squaring bars, a slidablebar mounted in each of; said-slots, each of said slidable oars having a series of spaced recesses adapted toreceive a pin, means for effecting the sliding movement of-.said slidlable bars,- :a central slot-extending longitudinally of-sa-id-squaringubed, a si-idable elementiior reception inand slidingmovement with respectto said central -slot,--rneans for locking said \slidable element at selectedlocations-in said central slot, a jack suspended beneath said tabletop; the plunger of said jackbeingsecured to said vertical-1y moveable-squarings-bed, control means for leftecting the upward and -=downvvard movement r-otthe plunger of said jack, a pair oif double hinges rat the :rearof sa-idtableqtop, a it-ransier frame-carried by said double hinges, a'transparent transfersheet carried by said transferframe, said trans-fer'frame and said transfer sheet'being adapted for such movement as to permit the transparent transferssheetz to assume a position above and parallel tosaidj-squaring bed; lugs for preventing the excessive -forward movement of said transfer frame andsaid transparent transfer sheet,.-and locking me'a-ns tor maintai-ningisaid transfer frame and said transparenhtransfer sheet in the aiorementioned position.

PETER N o referenoesscited. 

